Maureen McDonnell-Weschler

Remembering Maureen

Maureen McDonnell Weschler was born Mary Margaret McDonnell on January 7, 1957 in Brooklyn, New York. She died at age 66 after a two decade battle with cancer. She is survived by her loving husband of 44 years, Leonard Weschler of Vienna, VA, and her sons Leonard (Katie), Christopher, sister Kathleen Bartosh, and grandson Maximilian. Her father Aloysius McDonnell, mother Mary Breslin and brother Richard Mack previously passed.

Maureen was an award-winning clinical psychotherapist and social worker with a bachelor’s degree from Hood College (1981), and master’s degree from Virginia Commonwealth University (1984).

Maureen was a loving and supportive mother to her boys, of whom she was endlessly proud. She traveled to all fifty states and many countries, including her family’s home of Ireland where she visited many times. She loved to travel with anyone who was willing to hit the road with her, but she never quite grasped the idea of packing light. She loved the beach, and always woke up to watch the sun rise each morning. Her face lit up like a child playing games at arcades at the beach and her infectious laugh caught everyone’s attention.

She loved riding horses and motorcycles, enjoyed writing (but had the absolute worst handwriting on earth), and was always happy to learn how to do a new craft. Antiques and jewelry held a special place in her heart; and she adored makeup and nice clothing. She always made an effort to look the best she could no matter how she felt even when her hands weren’t steady enough to hold a makeup brush.

Maureen was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1999, which then metastasized in 2001. At one point she was given six months to live but refused to let cancer win and committed to seeing her sons graduated from high school. Not only did that happen, but she survived with continuous cancer treatments for 24 years. A fierce advocate for cancer research and support organizations, she raised more than $1 million with the help of family, friends, and Weschler’s Auction House, a company owned by her husband’s family. She was part of the clinical trial for Herceptin with the only expectation that it would provide information for future cancer patients. The drug saved her life and went on to save countless other lives as well. She overcame many health obstacles as a result of all of the chemotherapy.

Maureen enjoyed being social, going out with friends, and looked forward to being part of a neighbor’s Halloween celebration and always brought lots of candy for the kids. She supported anyone who needed it and opened her home to many children over the years.

She loved to cook, appreciated the value of a good hug, enjoyed trying different foods, and prized a good cup of tea. One thing that completely baffled her was technology. If you had the privilege of being in her phone you could expect the occasional, or constant, accidental late night butt-dials from Maureen. Her cell phone message ended the same way for years….“Remember the beauty of each day.”

She was an amazing wife, mother, and friend who was generous to a fault. The world has lost a true warrior and gained an angel.

Visitation will be held at Money and King Funeral Home, 171 W. Maple Ave., Vienna, VA on Friday, July 7 from 6 to 8 p.m. and on Saturday, July 8 from 2 to 5 p.m. Funeral service will be held at Episcopal Church of the Holy Cross, 2455 Gallows Rd, Dunn Loring, VA on Tuesday, July 11 at 1:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Inova’s Life with Cancer. This organization supported our family over the years through Maureen’s battle with cancer.